Moeen inspires England to much-needed first win

CHRISTCHURCH: Moeen Ali scored 128 and took two wickets as England hauled their World Cup campaign back onto the rails after two demoralising losses with a 119-run win over Scotland here on Monday.

After losing to Australia by 111 runs and to New Zealand by eight wickets, England entered Pool ‘A’ match against second-tier Scotland shaken, apprehensive and desperate for a win to lessen the threat of an early tournament exit.

They used as their inspiration for the match the story of the host city Christchurch which has been substantially rebuilt since being devastated by an earthquake four years ago.

England adopted the motif of rebuilding, laying a foundation with Moeen’s 172-run opening partnership with Ian Bell (54), reaching 303-8, and they added structure in bowling out Scotland for 184.

Steve Finn may have made the biggest single form reversal by an England player, taking 3-26 from nine overs after the two overs he bowled against New Zealand cost 49 runs.

But England’s performance was far from complete — they should have built far more strongly on an opening stand which was the largest by an England pair in a World Cup match. Their middle order failed as they lost the wickets of Moeen, Gary Ballance (10) and Joe Root (1) in the space of 10 balls to slip to from 201-1 to 203-4.

Captain Eoin Morgan hinted at the onset of some batting form, scoring 46 from 42 balls to stiffen the latter part of the innings, putting on 49 with James Taylor (17) and 45 with Jos Buttler (24).

But England still only reached 300 in the final over, in which they lost two wickets, including Morgan’s.

Moeen and Bell had given England the start it needed to steady its nerves and quieten the challenge of the Scots, who were aiming for their first victory over England or any top-eight team.

England had had only two clear days to regroup after their mauling by New Zealand, who needed only 12.2 overs to chase 124 for victory, making the loss England’s heaviest in their history in terms of balls remaining.

After winning the toss, the Scotland were hoping if they could strike early, the pressure on England would grow and they might buckle.

Moeen and Bell alleviated the possibility of a third defeat. Moeen scored at exactly twice the rate of Bell — he was 108 when his partner was out for 54.

Moeen reached 50 from 39 balls and his century, his second in One-day Internationals, from 91 balls with his fourth six.

Scotland made a bright start to their run chase, propelled by the clean hitting of South African-born opener Kyle Coetzer who made 71 with 11 fours. Its first 27 runs included five boundaries but they lost early wickets — Calum MacLeod (4), Freddie Coleman (7) and Matt Machan (5) — to slip to 54-3.

Coetzer and captain Preston Mommsen (26) put on 60 for the fourth wicket in 13.4 overs.

Scoreboard

ENGLAND:

Moeen Ali c Coleman b Haq 128

I.R. Bell c Coetzer b Berrington 54

G.S. Ballance b Evans 10

J.E. Root c Cross b Davey 1

E.J.G. Morgan c Mommsen b Davey 46

J.W.A. Taylor st Cross b Davey 17

J.C. Buttler c Davey b Wardlaw 24

C.R. Woakes c Mommsen b Davey 1

S.C.J. Broad not out 0